King Hammurabi: biography, history and years of reign

The ancient ruler, whose name is recognized by adults and children through the veil of centuries, still remains an interesting character for studying and drawing knowledge - this is King Hammurabi. Hammurabi is a wise ruler - this is exactly what they said at all times, both in the homeland of the king and today. The contribution of this statesman to the development of his country is truly unlimited, therefore the characteristics of King Hammurabi, his biography and exploits will become the basis of this article.

Hammurabi is the most famous ruler of ancient Mesopotamia. Fame came to the king thanks to the active work on the unification of Mesopotamia and the invented Code of Laws. Justice, in the understanding of King Hammurabi, was the most important stage in building a state, and the implementation of all the rules is the basis of a peaceful life for citizens

King Hammurabi appeared in ancient Mesopotamia, at the turn of III-II millennium BC, as a warlike commander of one of the Amorite tribes. The invasion of the Amorites into the territory of Mesopotamia led to the death of the Kingdoms existing there: Sumer and Akkad. The broken territory of Mesopotamia became the arena of battle for many small principalities. It was at this time that the Yahrurum, an Amorite tribe, successfully conquered the kingdom of Issin (its northern part) from competitors, where they created a separate state with the capital city of Babylon. From here the story of the famous king begins and here there are answers to two important questions: how many years Hammurabi ruled and how many years ago Hammurabi died.

King Hammurabi: biography, board, expansion of the state

The reign of Hammurabi in Babylon - 1792-1750. BC e.

Hammurabi became the sixth king of the 1st Amorite (Babylonian) dynasty. Hammurabi's father died early, when his son was still very young, but the imminent death of the king hastened the accession to the throne of the young heir. In the status of heir to the throne, young Hammurabi was always near his father and took an active part in all state affairs. He knew exactly what size his state had, what kind of army he was in command of, and how many inhabitants his kingdom had. All this knowledge became an excellent springboard for the young Hammurabi to start his work. In addition, the state of the father was one of the largest in Mesopotamia, whose military strength was envied by many.

The direction of political activity and the years of Hammurabi's reign were spent in an attempt to control the waters of the Euphrates, which led to many clashes with other kingdoms. The main directions of the foreign policy of the king were battles for territory with kingdoms:

• Larsa;
• Marie;
• Eshnunnoy;
• Ashur.

For the first 20 years, the biography of Hammurabi is not replete with great military achievements, since the work was carried out only to search for associates, informants, allies and strengthen border fortresses. There were almost no active hostilities, but the skillful conduct of foreign policy ensured significant success in the last 14 years of his reign. The last years of his reign were marked by great wars, successful clashes and the expansion of the state of King Hamurabi. Among the most significant conquests during the years of Hammurabi's life, the following can be noted:

• 1761 - war with the kingdom of Mari and king Zimrilim. A successful victory after several years of battles significantly expanded the borders of the state in the East;
• 1764 - Hammurabi defeated the united coalition of the three kingdoms (Elam, Eshnunnu, Ashur) and opened access to the territories of Iran with metal-producing capabilities;
• 1763 - war with Larsa. Cunning decisions, perseverance and determination brought victory to Hammurabi after several years of exhausting warfare and sieges;
• 1764 - the defeat of the kingdom of Eshnunnu;
• 1782 - ravaged the city of Malgium and entered into an alliance with one of the most powerful kings of Mesopotamia, Shamshi-Adad I. The agreement allowed us to gain time to gather forces before the next battle;
• 1781 joining Rapikum and expanding the borders of the state.

A sharp mind, excellent preparation and the use of cunning allowed Hammurabi to create a state of great size and take control of Assyria and most of Mesopotamia.

Reform and legislative activity of Hammurabi

Hammurabi's activity was grandiose in scope and very purposeful. The rise of Babylonia, during his reign, was so massive that in the hands of King Hammurabi power was concentrated over a significant part of Mesopotamia. How many years Hammurabi ruled in Babylon, so many years, year after year, the most important changes took place in the kingdom, which affected the economic system, domestic and foreign policy, agriculture, military craft and cattle breeding.

The reign of Hammurabi brought economic growth to the country and new methods in irrigated agriculture. The smelting of metals was widely used, which served as an impetus for the creation of new and more advanced weapons. But the most important reforms concerned the centralization of royal power and its strengthening, which was reflected in the Code of Laws of King Hammurabi. Precise data on when the laws appeared have not been preserved, but it is generally accepted that 1760 BC was adopted. e. point of origin of the Code.
The laws of Hammurabi are the most important monument of ancient Eastern law. The basis for understanding law in general, legality and social inequality in Babylon, life and economic activity of the Babylonian society. The entire text of the laws (282 articles) was carved on a huge pillar and stood in the city square so that every inhabitant of Babylon could read them.

Sunset of reign and photo of Hammurabi

The footprint in the history of the majestic king of Babylon is so great that his photos and pictures from Hammurabi are in all school textbooks. Children will recognize the image of this statesman, because almost everywhere he is depicted at the end of his reign, with a large beard and very formidable. A certain anger of the great king, this is a way to convey the strength and power of the conqueror.

Babylon, under the rule of Hammurabi, is always portrayed as a fabulous city with great expanses and riches. Abundance, luxury, beauty are the main features of the city preserved from ancient artifacts. The most interesting is the relief itself on the top of the pillar with the King's Code of Laws, which depicts how Hammurabi does not write the laws himself, but receives them from Shamash, the God of the sun.

In the context of legislative activity, at the end of the reign, the question is important: how many years did King Hammurabi rule?, because huge conquests, the world's first set of laws, a significant increase in the economic and social life of society require a special approach and time. Despite his young age, at the time of his ascension to the throne, King Hammurabi had been in power for quite a long time - 43 years.

What year did Hammurabi die?

In 1750 BC.

When Hammurabi died, the state he created, at the very peak of prosperity and development, passed to his son Samsu-ilun. Despite active political activity and legislative initiatives, the son of Hammurabi faced difficult problems that significantly affected the state of Babylon. First, the state lost the most important city of Terka located on the Khabur River. Then, a series of uprisings in different parts of the country and a war with neighboring kingdoms significantly exhausted the Babylonian kingdom. As a result, in 1595 the last king of the Hammurabi dynasty (Samsuditan) was knocked down, and the history of the state created by the great king Hammurabi ended with him.

conclusions

Hammurabi was the greatest king of Babylon, whose fame went far beyond the borders of his state. They spoke of him as a skilled ruler, politician, developed personality and commander, who brought world fame and exaltation to his country. The name of the king in translation means "giving life" or "healer". And it was so in reality. About the personality of the king, in ancient legends it is written that he was a man of a kind soul, a very generous and respectable person. All the forces of the king were directed to urban development and the expansion of the country, and therefore he fought many battles with the historical enemies of Babylon. The last 14 years of Hammurabi's reign were especially long and bloody. He spent almost all the time in battles with the main rulers of Mesopotamia. Hammurabi was a brilliant and great commander, but he entered his name in history as the world's first legislator. He was the first to develop a system of rules and laws, for general use, on the basis of which justice was administered in his country.

The economic activity of the king was as large-scale as the military campaigns. He completely centralized the administrative system, corresponded with officials from neighboring kingdoms, tried new methods in government, strengthened and built new water channels for irrigating the land, and significantly increased trade. The contribution of King Hammurabi to history is enormous, and his large-scale legislative and reform activities arouse interest and respect.